Blood on their hands: Saudi religious police start fatal car chase

The Muttawa, usually prowling the shopping malls of Saudi for nail polish and exposed flesh, are accused of causing a fatal car accident.

Members of the Muttawa have been accused of causing a fatal car accident in Bajurashi, South West Saudi. The driver of the car was killed and his pregnant wife and children all sustained injuries.

Two officers from the Saudi religious police[2] allegedly chased down a family car, causing the driver to crash into an overpass in July this year. Many Saudis are now asking just how much influence the religious police should be allowed to have.

The officers involved have been detained and are being questioned but defenders of the Muttawa have said Mr. al Ghamdi drove through a police checkpoint and the officers were within their rights to follow him.

The chase ended with the 34-year-old losing control of the car as it careered into an overpass that was still under construction. Although the crash happened in July, Mr. al Ghamdi’s wife and children are still hospitalized.